Michelle, condolences on the loss of your husband. :(
You will want to talk to a high end audio shop and explain the situation. They can give you realistic prices on the components of the system. You should have a good idea of the total value before you seek to sell it. Perhaps if he was a meticulous man he kept the sales receipts, and you can work from them to seek the value. Do not let feelings drive you to sell it off at a pittance; I am guessing he would want you to get good value out of it for your support.
If you do not know the value of the gear be wary of someone telling you it's not that valuable. Sadly, there are people who prey on the ignorant and vulnerable. At the very least, seek comparisons on the internet of identical pieces for sale to get some idea of their value.
Perhaps a high end audio shop would take the system on consignment, so that you do not have to deal with each piece individually. You may get a bit less than selling it off outright, but it would be put up for sale by people who know how to deal with such things and could find the right buyer.
Another option is to take responses from persons on this forum via the message system, but you will want to verify their credibility. Look for people who have a long track record of good deals. I would advise not to work with anyone who signs up recently with no track record. I would also insist they buy the system with cashier's check or money order. Draw up a simple, but proper bill of sale that includes date, the precise names of the pieces in the system, price sold, and - this is critical - the phrase, "Sold as is", so that it is a clean deal and done once finalized. Have two copies and have the seller and you sign both.
I would not use Paypal for such a deal, as it can be very problematic, and there is not nearly the protection for you as seller as you may think. I would absolutely not take personal check from anyone for such a system. Others may have different views, but you will put the odds of a safer transaction in your favor if you follow my advice. If someone is credible and the system is priced well people should have no problem with these parameters for the sale.
Another idea; there are audio clubs mentioned here an on other audio sites. Perhaps you can contact the leader of such a club near you and seek assistance. Then you would have people locally who know what the gear is and can perhaps even assist with promoting the sale.
You will want to talk to a high end audio shop and explain the situation. They can give you realistic prices on the components of the system. You should have a good idea of the total value before you seek to sell it. Perhaps if he was a meticulous man he kept the sales receipts, and you can work from them to seek the value. Do not let feelings drive you to sell it off at a pittance; I am guessing he would want you to get good value out of it for your support.
If you do not know the value of the gear be wary of someone telling you it's not that valuable. Sadly, there are people who prey on the ignorant and vulnerable. At the very least, seek comparisons on the internet of identical pieces for sale to get some idea of their value.
Perhaps a high end audio shop would take the system on consignment, so that you do not have to deal with each piece individually. You may get a bit less than selling it off outright, but it would be put up for sale by people who know how to deal with such things and could find the right buyer.
Another option is to take responses from persons on this forum via the message system, but you will want to verify their credibility. Look for people who have a long track record of good deals. I would advise not to work with anyone who signs up recently with no track record. I would also insist they buy the system with cashier's check or money order. Draw up a simple, but proper bill of sale that includes date, the precise names of the pieces in the system, price sold, and - this is critical - the phrase, "Sold as is", so that it is a clean deal and done once finalized. Have two copies and have the seller and you sign both.
I would not use Paypal for such a deal, as it can be very problematic, and there is not nearly the protection for you as seller as you may think. I would absolutely not take personal check from anyone for such a system. Others may have different views, but you will put the odds of a safer transaction in your favor if you follow my advice. If someone is credible and the system is priced well people should have no problem with these parameters for the sale.
Another idea; there are audio clubs mentioned here an on other audio sites. Perhaps you can contact the leader of such a club near you and seek assistance. Then you would have people locally who know what the gear is and can perhaps even assist with promoting the sale.